Former Webb County judge critically injured, airlifted to San Antonio after fatal Cotulla crash

Published 7:33 am, Thursday, July 13, 2017

Former Precinct 2, Place 2 Justice of the Peace Ricardo Rangel was airlifted to a San Antonio-area hospital following a three-vehicle collision reported at about 7:50 a.m. near Cotulla.

Former Precinct 2, Place 2 Justice of the Peace Ricardo Rangel was airlifted to a San Antonio-area hospital following a three-vehicle collision reported at about 7:50 a.m. near Cotulla.

Photo: Courtesy

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This photo shows the scene of the three-vehicle collision reported at about 7:50 a.m. near Cotulla, Texas.

This photo shows the scene of the three-vehicle collision reported at about 7:50 a.m. near Cotulla, Texas.

Photo: Sara Alexis McKinney

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Authorities investigate the scene of a car wreck Wednesday near Cotulla, Texas.

Authorities investigate the scene of a car wreck Wednesday near Cotulla, Texas.

Photo: Christopher Jacobo

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The northbound main lanes for Interstate Highway 35 at mile marker No. 58 are shown.

The northbound main lanes for Interstate Highway 35 at mile marker No. 58 are shown.

Photo: Google Maps/Street View

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Click through the following gallery to see social media's reaction to a pair of Laredo-area fatal crashes in early July.

Click through the following gallery to see social media's reaction to a pair of Laredo-area fatal crashes in early July.

Photo: LMTonline

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Click through this gallery to see social media reactions to a pair of Laredo-area fatal crashes in July.

Click through this gallery to see social media reactions to a pair of Laredo-area fatal crashes in July.

Photo: Facebook

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Esmeralda Gaona: "I have no words except that you left us too soon, May you rest in peace !

Esmeralda Gaona: "I have no words except that you left us too soon, May you rest in peace !

Photo: Facebook

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Valerie Berenice: "God please heal our judge Ricardo Rangel. I ask everyone for prayers for him and his family. I believe in miracles, Amen ❤️

Valerie Berenice: "God please heal our judge Ricardo Rangel. I ask everyone for prayers for him and his family. I believe in miracles, Amen ❤️

Photo: Facebook

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Anabelle Miranda: "Today is a very sad day for my family and I. Today at 1 am my cousin Juan Mateo Herrera Jr. passed away in a car accident. I'll cherish all the memories we had together cuz. I'm gonna miss you a lot. RIP Jean Matheus Hisera. Descansa en pass primo."

Anabelle Miranda: "Today is a very sad day for my family and I. Today at 1 am my cousin Juan Mateo Herrera Jr. passed away in a car accident. I'll cherish all the memories we had together cuz. I'm gonna miss

Ricardo Rangel Jr.: "Family and friends i want to thank everybody for there support this just an update on My farther he is very hurt I ask for each and one of u to keep him in your preyers plz

Ricardo Rangel Jr.: "Family and friends i want to thank everybody for there support this just an update on My farther he is very hurt I ask for each and one of u to keep him in your preyers plz

Photo: Facebook

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Click through this gallery to see which roads in Webb County had the most fatal car accidents in 2015-16, according to data from TxDot.

Click through this gallery to see which roads in Webb County had the most fatal car accidents in 2015-16, according to data from TxDot.

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Webb County: 67 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Webb County: 67 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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U.S. 83: 15 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

U.S. 83: 15 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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I-35: 11 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

I-35: 11 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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U.S. 59: 9 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

U.S. 59: 9 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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Loop 20: 6 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Loop 20: 6 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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Jacaman Road: 3 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Jacaman Road: 3 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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Mines Road: 3 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Mines Road: 3 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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Texas State Highway 359: 3 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Texas State Highway 359: 3 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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West Saunders Street: 2 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

West Saunders Street: 2 fatalities

Fatalities on Webb County roads from January 2015 to December 2016

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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A general overview of fatal crashes in and around the city of Laredo from January 2015 to December 2016.

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

A general overview of fatal crashes in and around the city of Laredo from January 2015 to December 2016.

Yellow indicates a DUI charge for the incident

Photo: TxDOT

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Former Webb County judge critically injured, airlifted to San Antonio after fatal Cotulla crash

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A former Webb County justice of the peace was among those critically injured Wednesday in a Laredo-area vehicle crash that also left one dead.

Former Precinct 2, Place 2 Justice of the Peace Ricardo Rangel and Roberto Perez, 25, of Rio Bravo, were airlifted to San Antonio-area hospitals following a three-vehicle collision reported at about 7:50 a.m. near Cotulla, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

DPS said the crash occurred 11 miles south of Cotulla on Interstate 35.

A preliminary investigation revealed the Impala was traveling south on I-35 while the Ranger and a 2007 Freightliner semi-trailer were heading north on the freeway.

"The Chevrolet Impala veered off into the center median and into the northbound lanes. The ... Impala collided with the semi-trailer (and) then was hit by the Ford Ranger," said DPS Sgt. Conrad J. Hein. "The Ford Ranger caught fire.

News of Rangel being involved in the crash spread on social media. Facebook users uploaded a photo of him and tagged his relatives. In the posts, many shared links with information about the crash and asked the community to keep Rangel in their prayers.

"Family and friends, I want to thank everybody for their support. This (is) just an update on my father. He is very hurt. I ask for each and one of (you) to keep him in your prayers ... God bless and thank you," Ricardo Rangel Jr. posted on Facebook on Wednesday evening.